America Today Versus 1776

This column was written on the weekend of July 5, 2020. Unfortunately, several of the Governor’s vetoes referenced by Senator Krawiec were sustained. 

Being a businesswoman, I am accustomed to identifying a problem and developing a solution. In government that difficult to do. It is easy to identify the problem. But too many have a different idea of what the solution might be. Too many think the answer is to throw more money at the problem. In business, that is the definition of insanity. Throwing more money at the situation does not help if changes are not made.

This is probably the most frustrating of all requirements to serve in government. Finding ways to institute solutions to a difficult problem when we cannot agree on the solution.

I realize that this has been standard operating procedure for many years. Since we have just celebrated the birthday of our great nation, I decided to look back at some important lessons. Life in 1776 was quite different in many ways and yet very much the same.

In 1776, the 13 colonies had been around for 150 years and those with talent and ambition had risen to the top and acquired wealth. In the South, the wealthiest were large plantation owners. The North higher income earners were merchants like John Hancock. Then there were lawyers like John Adams and tavern owners who averaged about $100,000 per year in modern money.

Doctors of the day surprisingly made very little.  Dentists made even less and were exceedingly rare.

In the northern colonies, data shows that the top 10% of the population owned about 45% of all wealth. In parts of the south, 10% owned 75% of the wealth. But America had a thriving middle class in contrast to most countries at the time. There were many well-to-do farmers who shipped crops to Europe and the West Indies. These shipments provided enough profits to send their children to private schools and provide carriages and expensive gowns for their wives. Skilled workmen such as tailors and carpenters also prospered.

America was also a remarkably diverse nation. The first census taken in 1790 shows that only 60% of our people came from England. The remainder was a mixture of German, Irish, African, Swedish, Dutch, and Scottish.

America is still one of the most diverse nations on earth. Our people are from every walk of life and every corner of the earth. Each one is unique and is a creation of the almighty with different skills and talents. Each here for a purpose with distinct assignments.

The problems of today are not too different from the ones that were faced in 1776. There were many who were very rich and many who had little. That is not too different than today.

The differences are stark in contrast to the role of government today and in 1776. There were no social programs for those who were poor to rely on. There were no welfare programs, Medicare, Medicaid, Social Security, or nutrition assistance. We could go on for days making the contrast to programs available today compared to then.

This has reminded me of how often Jesus spoke about the poor and what a responsibility we have to care for the least among us. I have to point out that Jesus was speaking to us, the people, and not to Government when He commanded us to care for the poor. A faceless bureaucrat will never be able to take the place of a caring neighbor who loves and supports their fellow human beings. Imagine what we can do in partnership with government, lifting our neighbors up with a helping hand.

Neighbors helping neighbors was a way of life in 1776 and not too many years ago as well. Sadly today, it is not so much the case. I am afraid that too often we look to someone else, often the government, to fill the roles that we as fellow human beings are commanded to fill.

Most of the changes since 1776 have made our country better. The community spirit and neighbor helping neighbor is not as strong a tradition as back then. It should be. It is a grand solution to many problems.

On Wednesday, we head back to Raleigh. The task is to deal with vetoes that the Governor has returned. There are quite a few. Several of them are bills where I was the primary sponsor. I have little hope that we will be able to override. We need at least one Democrat to vote with the majority. Most of these bills were passed with wide bipartisan support. Vetoes are a different story. Since Cooper has been elected, we have had one Democrat vote once with us for override.  That was my bill also, Born Alive Infant Protection Act. It would require medical attention be given to an infant who survives an attempted abortion. Only one Democrat crossed the aisle to support the override. God Bless him. The House was not able to override, so the Governor’s veto stands and the bill did not become law. I will try again if I am blessed enough to go back next session.

As I said earlier, throwing money at something that is failing is not the answer. We need solutions. Hopefully we will find some things we can agree on this week while in session.